News Summary
Lee County Schools have announced a shift in school start times to address chronic bus delays that caused many students to miss their first period. Elementary schools will begin at 8:40 a.m., nearly an hour later than previously. The adjustments aim to enhance student achievement and improve the reliability of the school transportation system, amid a driver shortage causing significant challenges. The Safe Start Initiative will not only alter start times but also modify instructional periods and lunch schedules for a better learning environment.
Lee County Adjusts School Start Times to Tackle Bus Delays and Boost Student Success
Lee County Schools have announced a significant shift in school start times as part of the Safe Start Initiative, aimed at addressing chronic school bus delays and enhancing student achievement. Starting this school year, elementary schools will commence operations at 8:40 a.m., which is nearly an hour later than previous times. Meanwhile, high schools and middle schools will experience minimal changes to their schedules.
In the previous academic year, the district faced serious transportation issues, with around 8,000 students consistently missing their first period due to late buses. Additionally, 18,000 students were often dropped off at home long after school dismissed, raising concerns among parents regarding the reliability of the school transportation system.
Parental Concerns and Adjustments
Parents have expressed mixed feelings about the newly implemented changes. Carole Dean, a parent of three school-aged children, is adapting to the modified schedule, yet she anticipates additional childcare expenses, estimated to be around $125 a week. Similarly, Cary Colon reported troubling experiences with her older children’s bus service, highlighting her worries regarding the reliability of Lee County Transportation.
Transportation Issues and Solutions
Compounding these challenges is a bus driver shortage that has disrupted existing transportation routes and caused delays for many students. To combat this issue, the district has initiated efforts such as hosting a bus driver fair and adjusting school start times to create more streamlined routes.
To attract potential drivers, the district is offering free training for those who lack a commercial license. Full-time roles will come with benefits and flexible schedules to appeal to jobseekers. While the district aims to alleviate operational challenges with these initiatives, experts caution that delays may still persist until more drivers are recruited, even following the new start times’ implementation.
Changes in Instructional Time
In conjunction with the adjusted start times, the Safe Start Initiative seeks to transition the district from a four-tier to a three-tier bus system, increasing efficiency and safety. High school classes will now be extended to 49 minutes each, and all schools will implement 30-minute lunch periods. High school students will be dismissed at 2:00 p.m., a modification that is expected to add approximately 42 hours of instruction per year.
Initiative Development and Implementation
The strategic adjustments to the school timetable were formulated with input from principals, staff, and community meetings. David Newlan, the Chief of Safety, emphasized the critical need to align pick-up and drop-off times with schedules due to the existing bus driver shortages. The modifications are anticipated to improve learning conditions and reduce waiting times at bus stops for families.
Financial Impact and Ongoing Monitoring
While the initial implementation of the Safe Start Initiative is not expected to carry an immediate financial impact, there may be repercussions for the district’s transportation budget in fiscal year 2026. The school district plans to provide regular updates to families to ensure a smooth transition to the new schedule and is committed to monitoring the implementation closely. Adjustments may be made based on feedback and observations once the new system is in place.
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Additional Resources
- Wink News: Lee County School District Offers Free Training to Tackle Ongoing Bus Driver Shortage
- Fox 4 Now: Lee County School Might Start/End at Different Time Next Year
- Gulfshore Business: Lee County School District to Host Transportation Job Fair
- News Press: New Bus Route Bell Schedules Passed for Lee County Schools
- Captiva Sanibel: School Board Approves New Bell Times
Author: STAFF HERE CLEVELAND WRITER
CLEVELAND STAFF WRITER The CLEVELAND STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECleveland.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Cleveland International Film Festival, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, and the Cleveland Air Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Cleveland Partnership and Destination Cleveland, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare that power the local economy such as Cleveland Clinic and Sherwin-Williams. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Ohio's dynamic landscape.
